Stanley Kurtz writes for National Review Online about one way state legislators across the country can respond to Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
[T]here is something concrete we can do — not only to honor Charlie Kirk and carry on his legacy but also to shift America’s cultural momentum in the direction of civil dialogue and away from violence.
In 2023, Florida passed a law requiring every public university to organize debates and panel discussions on public policy controversies. All the events are to be recorded and posted on an easily accessible website. The Florida law is based on model legislation that I drafted and defended in 2019. That model bill is published and endorsed by the National Association of Scholars.
The good news is that the Florida debate law is in effect and working well. Earlier this year, the College Fix published a study confirming that. The Fix study also links to the various campus websites containing videos of the events. I haven’t had a chance to look thoroughly through every website and debate. My impression is that a significant number of debates are being held on “high-voltage” public controversies. But yes, there are also some debates and events on issues of lesser controversy. That’s fine, and even good, within reason.
By making all the events public and recording them, the Florida law prevents the flouting of legislative intent. The legislature can see the debates for itself and judge whether schools are attempting to skirt the law by avoiding controversial issues — or, say, by inviting moderate Democrats to debate hard-left Democrats while excluding conservative Republicans.
This is where conservative campus groups like Turning Point USA and Young America’s Foundation could play a very important, if informal, role in ensuring that legislative intent is followed. TPUSA chapters can keep track of all debates. They can also, along with other student groups, demand that debates be held on particular topics.
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